Home · 2011 Mercedes-benz Gl-class · Complaints

What 97 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Mercedes-benz Gl-class

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (97)Crash / fire / injury (6)Airbags (56)Brakes (11)Suspension (11)Engine (7)Electrical system (6)Steering (3)Fuel system (2)Transmission & drivetrain (2)Backup camera & sensors (1)Fuel System, Diesel (1)

6 of 97 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Jun 25, 2024BrakesCrash1 injury

The contact owned a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to make a right turn, the vehicle failed to stop, which led him to rear-end a truck in front. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact sustained a fracture in the finger, and forehead injury caused by the impact with the steering wheel that required medical attention. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, and the vehicle was deemed destroyed. The contact related the failure to the received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The VIN was invalid.

NHTSA ODI 11596585

Jan 31, 2024AirbagsBrakesCrash2 injuries

I [XXX] own. The Mercedes Benz, it was in recall for the Air Bag, I took it to the Dealer at the Coral Gables Dealership of the Mercedes, 300 Almeria Ave, Coral Gables 33134. Phone (305)306-3549. and it was check. I was involved in an Accident on ([XXX]) went into a canal. 50 feet down, the Air Bag did not OPEN, the Brake did not brake properly the truck slip through the grass, and we end it in the Canal. I did not was advise the brake were in recall found out later on after the accident the GEIGO the insurance Company advise, but it was too late. I We were Born that Day my husband and me. I have picture of the accident; The check engine was on and off sometime like a year before or maybe more can't recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11569056

May 15, 2023Electrical systemFire

We smelled smoke from under the passenger seat. We had the car in for a recall and service recently and didn’t understand what was happening. Our three Children smelled the smoke too. Everyone exited the car and it burst into flames.

NHTSA ODI 11522087

Jan 31, 2023SeatsFire

Heated seat caught fire while driving

NHTSA ODI 11504596

Jun 12, 2018Crash

DEAR LADY/GENTLEMAN GOOD MORNING I WAS DRIVING OUT FROM THE PARKING VERY SLOW. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED BUT FOR WHAT I KNOW CAR INCREASE SPEED RAPIDLY. I PUSH BRAKES BUT DOESN'T STOP AS A RESULT MY CAR HIT OTHER CARS IN PARKING. FOR WHAT I KNOW STEERING WAS LOCK. PLEASE CHECK IF MY CAR HAD ANY ELECTRONIC ATTACK . THANK YOU IN ADVANCE [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11101523

Aug 25, 2014AirbagsCrash

WE WERE SOUTH BOUND ON US131 AND WAS STRUCK IN THE DRIVERS DOOR. ENTIRE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE HAS DAMAGE FROM FRONT BUMPER TO REAR WHEEL. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE COMPUTER HAS A STORED CODE FOR BOTH DRIVERS SIDE DOORS. I HAVE CONTACTED MERCEDES AND THEY CONTEND THAT THE AIR BAGS PERFORMED PROPERLY. VEHICLE IS JUST NOW BEING DISASSEMBLED TO DETERMINE DAMAGE SO I THINK MERCEDES MIGHT BE COVERING SOMETHING UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10628199

Working with the data? Download all 97 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Mercedes-benz Gl-class verdict →